Posted by John Humphress on May 20, 2011
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate fell from 10.2 percent in March 2011 to 10 percent in April 2011, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The preliminary April 2011 jobless rate dropped .6 percentage point below the 10.6 percent rate recorded in April 2010 for the state. The 10 percent rate recorded in April 2011 is the lowest rate since February 2009 when it was 9.8 percent.
“Kentucky’s economy continued to show signs of improvement in April 2011 led by strength in the manufacturing sector. Nonfarm employment grew for the fourth month in a row, and the unemployment rate dropped to 10 percent, its lowest level since February 2009,” said Dr. Justine Detzel, OET chief labor market analyst.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate increased from 8.8 percent in March 2011 to 9 percent in April 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working.
Eight of the 11 major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors reported an employment increase in April 2011, while three decreased, according to OET. An increase of 3,800 jobs in April 2011 brought Kentucky’s nonfarm employment to a seasonally adjusted total of 1,793,600. Kentucky’s nonfarm employment has grown by 24,700 workers since April 2010.
According to the seasonally adjusted employment data, Kentucky’s manufacturing sector surged by 2,500 jobs in April 2011. Since April 2010, employment in the manufacturing sector has climbed by 5,700 positions.
“The number of industrial workers has increased 10 times in the past 14 months. Job gains are concentrated in the non-durable goods subsector, which is indicative of the opening of a textile manufacturer,” Detzel said.
The professional and business services sector expanded by 1,100 positions in April 2011. This area includes professional, scientific and technical services; management of companies; and administrative support and waste management, including temporary help agencies. Since last April, jobs in the sector have mushroomed by 7,300.
“The job gains are clustered at administrative and support enterprises, which is a sign of the openings of a janitorial service and a support-services center,” Detzel said.
The educational and health services sector reported 1,100 more workers in April 2011. The sector has surged by 4,400 workers since April 2010. This sector includes private and nonprofit establishments that provide either education and training or health care and social assistance to their clients.
Employment in the other services sector, which includes such establishments as repair and maintenance businesses; personal and laundry services; religious organizations; and civic and professional organizations, rose by 1,100 positions in April 2011. This sector had 3,200 more positions in April 2011 than April 2010.
Employment in the mining and logging sector increased by 300 in April 2011. The sector has gained 1,400 jobs since April 2010.
The financial activities sector added 300 jobs in April 2011. This segment, which includes businesses involved in finance, insurance, real estate, homes for sale new milford ct and property leasing or rental, has 1,000 fewer positions than in April 2010.
The state’s trade, transportation and utilities sector grew by 200 jobs in April 2011. This area includes retail and wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing businesses, and utilities. It is the largest sector in Kentucky with 360,600 employees. Since April 2010, the number of jobs in this sector has increased by 300.
The information sector rose by 100 workers from March 2011 to April 2011. This segment, which includes firms involved in publishing, Internet activities, data processing, broadcasting and news syndication, has decreased by 200 positions since April 2010.
The government sector, which includes public education, public administration agencies and state-owned hospitals, lost 1,600 jobs in April 2011. The sector has 100 fewer jobs than in April 2010.
“This represents the second time in the last four months public employment has decreased. The job losses are concentrated in the state government subsector,” Detzel said.
Construction sector jobs fell by 900 in April 2011. Since April 2010, employment in the construction sector has plummeted by 5,000 jobs.
“The year-over-year decrease in the construction sector reflects debility in specialty trade contractors and weakness in the residential construction industry,” said Detzel.
Kentucky’s leisure and hospitality sector dropped by 400 jobs in April 2011. Since April 2010, the sector has surged by 8,700 positions. The leisure and hospitality sector includes arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodations and food services, and drinking places industries.
“The employment losses from March 2011 to April 2011 are attributed to accommodations and food services enterprises. Faced with rising food and gas prices, consumers are splurging less on restaurant meals and travel,” said Detzel.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly estimate of the number of employed Kentuckians for April 2011 was 1,906,797 on a seasonally adjusted basis. This figure is up 10,766 from the 1,896,031 employed in March 2011, and up 43,373 from the 1,863,424 employed in April 2010.
The monthly estimate of the number of unemployed Kentuckians for April 2011 was 211,622, down 2,683 from the 214,305 Kentuckians unemployed in March 2011, and down 9,055 from the 220,677 unemployed in April 2010.
The monthly estimate of the number of Kentuckians in the civilian labor force for April 2011 was 2,118,419. This figure is up 8,083 from the 2,110,336 recorded in March 2011, and up 34,318 from the 2,084,101 recorded in April 2010.
Civilian labor force statistics include nonmilitary workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.
Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Learn more about the Office of Employment and Training at www.workforce.ky.gov.
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Posted by John Humphress on May 9, 2011
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – Preliminary statistics* indicate that 13 people died in nine separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, May 2 through Sunday, May 8, 2011.
Eleven of the victims were traveling in motor vehicles. Nine were not wearing seat belts. One of the fatalities was the result of a crash involving alcohol. Two of the fatalities were pedestrians.
Two three-fatality crashes occurred: one in Hickman County and one in Wayne County. Single-fatality crashes occurred in Bourbon, Fayette, Floyd, Jefferson, Madison, Oldham and Pike counties.
Through May 8, preliminary statistics* indicate that 212 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2011. This is 18 fewer than reported for this time period in 2010. Of the 175 motor vehicle fatalities, 102 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the eight motorcycle fatalities, six were not wearing helmets. Three of the four ATV fatalities were not wearing helmets. Twenty-four pedestrians have been killed. A total of 30 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.
*These statistics are still preliminary as KSP waits for all local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to report any crashes and fatalities that may have occurred in their areas.
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Posted by John Humphress on Apr 21, 2011
(Danville, Ky.)- Four Boyle County firefighters were injured after a two-vehicle collision on Ky 52, approximately two miles east of Danville. On Thursday, Apr. 21, at approximately 10:12 a.m. a Boyle County Fire and Rescue tanker truck being operated by Lt. Jim Harris, was responding to a possible chimney fire at a residence on Lancaster Road. Harris apparently lost control of the vehicle in a curve and partially ran off the roadway. Harris attempted to regain control, but the truck travelled into the westbound lane, where it struck a pickup truck being operated by Kenneth Runyon of Danville. The tanker then overturned on it’s side and slid to a stop, where it blocked both lanes of travel. Two of the four firefighters had to be extricated from the tanker truck. The four were transported to Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries and released. Runyon was not injured. The KSP was assisted by Boyle County Fire and Rescue, Danville Fire Department, Danville Police Department, Boyle County Sheriff’s Office and several firefighters from Perryville and Junction City. Garrard County Fire and Rescue, and another crew from the Boyle County Fire and Rescue were able to respond to the original report of a chimney fire. The collision remains under investigation by Trooper Bobby Amon.
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Posted by John Humphress on Apr 18, 2011
(FRANKFORT, KY) – Preliminary statistics* indicate that ten people died in eight separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Monday, Apr. 11, through Sunday, Apr. 17, 2011.
All of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and six of the victims were not wearing a seat belt. Single-fatality crashes occurred in Clinton, Hopkins, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Owen and Russell counties. A triple-fatality crash occurred in Boyle County.
Through Apr. 17, preliminary statistics* indicate that 171 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2011. This is thirty less fatalities than reported for the same time period in 2010. There were 142 motor vehicle fatalities and 82 of those victims were not wearing seat belts. Seventeen of those crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle. Five crashes involved a motorcycle and four victims were not wearing helmets. Four crashes involved an ATV and three of the victims were not wearing a helmet. Twenty crashes involved pedestrians. A total of twenty-one fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.
*These statistics are still preliminary as KSP waits for all local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to report any crashes and fatalities that may have occurred in their areas. Crash data for this report is generated from the Kentucky Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
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Posted by John Humphress on Apr 13, 2011
Apex MediaWire Staff Report
ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AMW) — A packaging manufacturer based in India has announced plans to locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Hardin County, bringing a minimum of 125 new jobs to the area.
Gov. Steve Beshear joined local, state and company officials at a press conference today announcing that UFLEX Ltd. will locate its first U.S. plant in Hardin County. Officials said the project will occur in phases, initially creating 125 new jobs and a $90 million investment. Plans call for the company to eventually invest $180 million and employ at least 250 people.
Performance-based tax incentives of up to $20 million were preliminarily approved today by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. Corporate income tax credits and wage assessments, if formally approved, will allow UFLEX to keep a portion of its investment as long as it meets certain job and investment targets over a 10-year period.
Company officials indicated the first phase of the project will be operational by the end of 2012 with the second phase beginning shortly thereafter.
“We are very upbeat about our U.S. manufacturing venture and look forward to a life-long and rewarding relationship with the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said UFLEX Chairman Ashok Chaturvedi. “The U.S.A. is the world’s largest and most technologically-advanced packaging market and our first manufacturing plant here will be a high point of our leadership ambitions in this business.”
“Being active with large production facilities at strategically located sites around the world has always been our long-term corporate imperative and what better location could we look for than being in the heart of the world’s largest and most advanced packaging market,” said Pradeep Tyle, CEO of the company’s Flex Films division.
“I’m very excited and honored to have UFLEX locate their first U.S.
plant here in Elizabethtown,” said Mayor Tim Walker. “I also feel UFLEX will add diversity to our industrial community and much-needed new jobs to our economy. We believe this important investment reflects the support that the local community exhibits for industrial development.”
Established in 1983, UFLEX is a leading manufacturer of polyester chips, specialty films, coated and metalized film, laminates, pouches, holographic films, gravure cylinders, flexographic plates, inks and adhesives for use in product packaging.
UFLEX already operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India, Dubai, Mexico and Egypt and is setting up another operation in Poland. The company has established offices all over the world with a market presence in 110 countries.
“This is an excellent opportunity to create yet another long-term relationship with an international corporation right here in Hardin County,” said County Judge-Executive Harry L. Berry.
“India is one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in the world and represents unlimited potential for cultivating job and investment growth,” Beshear said. “I am thrilled Kentucky is the location of choice for this $180 million investment, one that will create at least 250 jobs.”
UFLEX representatives made their first visit to Kentucky in January following Beshear’s economic development trip to India last fall. At least six states were considered for the new plant.
The new facility will be located in Elizabethtown’s T.J. Patterson Industrial Park.
http://www.apexmediawire.com/wire/20110413/indian-manufacturing-company-to-build-first-us-plant-in-elizabethtown/
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